Binay calls on PNP to safeguard 2016 polls

Vice President Jejomar Binay on Saturday called on the Philippine National Police (PNP) to protect the nation's future by ensuring that the people would  be able to choose their leaders freely in the coming May elections.

“Itatakda sa halalan sa Mayo ang kinabukasan ng ating bansa. Tungkulin ninyo na maging kalasag ng ating mga kababayan,” Binay said in a speech at the 36th alumni homecoming of the PNP Academy (PNPA) in Silang, Cavite.

“Kalasag na magtatanggol at mangangalaga sa kanila. Kalasag na siyang haharang sa anumang pagtatangka na agawin sa ating mga kababayan ang kanilang karapatan na bumoto nang malaya at ligtas sa panggigipit at karahasan,” he added.

Binay's camp has said the ruling Liberal Party may resort to cheating to ensure the victory of the Aquino administration's candidate, former interior secretary Manuel Roxas II, who is lagging behind in surveys.

Specifically, Binay's allies mentioned that funds for the conditional cash transfer program or government’s dole to the poor may be used to influence voters to back Roxas.

Malacañang already denied the accusation as it assured the public last December that funds for CCT, which has an allocation of P64 billion this year, will only be used to lift millions of Filipinos out of poverty.

In his speech, Binay also pressed for reforms to upgrade the law enforcement capabilities and improve the welfare of the police force, including increases in their allowances and combat pay and abolition of income taxes.

Binay promised to hire 50,000 more police officers “to achieve the ideal police-to-population ratio of 1:500" and boost PNP's technological capability.

“The PNP needs to increase its technological capability, for criminals have become adept at using technology for their evil agenda,” he said.

Binay also vowed to continue the housing program for the PNP and vowed there will be no repeat of the bloody encounter in Mamapasapano, Maguindanao in January 2015.

“[W]e will provide a decisive and efficient leadership that will respect and abide by the established principle of chain of command within the PNP. Under my watch, there will be no more Mamasapanos,” Binay said.

Six alumni of the PNPA were among the 44 members of the PNP Special Action Force (SAF) killed in the botched operation which was aimed at neutralizing Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan. — APG, GMA News